Your browser is not supported for this experience.
We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.
Oh Hey, Art Lovers!
Ready for a day packed with creativity? Hickory’s got art you can see, hear, and experience up close. Let’s get inspired.
Coffee with a Creative Twist
Taste Full Beans Coffee, Tea, and Cafe – Start your day surrounded by creativity and caffeine. This locally loved café doubles as a rotating art gallery, featuring works by regional artists and poetry from one of the owners. Plus, with lots of vegan and gluten-free choices, everyone can find something to love.
Dive into Folk & Fine Art
Hickory Museum of Art – Located inside the SALT Block, this is North Carolina’s second-oldest art museum and a cornerstone of Hickory’s creative scene. Explore rotating exhibitions, and family-friendly programs in a space designed to inspire visitors of all ages.
Get Inspired
-
Trade Alley Arts – Tucked into Downtown Hickory, this vibrant gallery and studio space celebrates regional artists with rotating exhibits, community classes, and events that bring creativity to the streets. Expect bold, fresh, and surprising art around every corner.
-
NoCo Arts – A creative hub in downtown Newton, housed in a historic building at 118 N. College Avenue. Inside, you’ll find a vibrant gallery, working artist studios, and space for community workshops. From rotating exhibitions to hands-on classes and artist-led events, NoCo is all about creating, learning, and connecting.
-
Full Circle Arts – A cornerstone of Hickory’s art scene, this nonprofit gallery showcases local talent through curated exhibits, workshops, and community outreach. It’s the kind of space that makes you want to pick up a paintbrush—or at least linger a little longer.
Curtain Up!
-
The Green Room Community Theatre (Newton): Catch crowd-pleasing musicals, plays, and youth productions in a beautifully restored historic post office—local talent, big heart, and top-notch entertainment.
-
The Hickory Community Theatre (Downtown Hickory): From Broadway hits to bold new works, this award-winning downtown venue delivers professional-quality productions in a stunning historic space.
Tune In to the Local Beat
-
the hum – Our outdoor music venue in downtown Hickory, perfect for warm nights and local jams.
-
The Premier – An indoor venue packed with live music, arcade games, and fun for the whole crew.
-
Western Piedmont Symphony – Brings classical music to life with powerful performances that just might give you goosebumps. Catch a live show and feel the energy for yourself.
-
Hickory Choral Society – With rich harmonies, soaring vocals, and over 100 voices, this beloved ensemble delivers choral performances that are both powerful and heartfelt.
Make It a Mural Walk
Take a self-guided tour of the Hickory Metro’s colorful murals and public art. From alleyway surprises to bold building facades, our walls are a canvas of community expression. Click here for a full list of murals (and yes, your Insta feed will thank you).
Artsy Bites & Sips
FOURK – The perfect spot to cap off your day, with creative cocktails and a menu that’s as inventive as it is craveable. It’s a great place to toast a day well spent.
Fun Fact
The Hickory Museum of Art began in 1944 with just a few paintings displayed in a library basement—now it houses over 1,500 works of art, including one of the largest collections of Southern folk art in the country.